Bottle Feeding

The right baby bottle can be a new parent's best friend.  Pacifying a cranky baby with wholesome nutrition is a great feeling.  Before you settle in to feed your baby his or her first bottle, read on to master the fine art of bottle feeding.  Once you're done with this page, check out the National Network for Childcare's instructions.

The Bottle

Whether you are feeding your baby breast milk (obtained with a breast pump ) or infant formula ,  you're going to need baby bottles .  Here are a few things you should know about these simple containers:

Nipples
  • Nipples come in a variety of materials.
    • Rubber   and latex   nipples are soft and flexible, but babies can develop allergies to these.
    • Plus, latex nipples generally do not last as long.
    • Silicone   nipples are firm and often dishwasher-safe.
    • There are also orthodontic   nipples that are designed to prevent tooth and jaw problems.
  • Buy a variety of nipples to determine which your child prefers.
  • Nipples come in a variety of flow rates that should be selected according to the infant's age.
    • If the flow is too fast, babies will get gas. Switching to a slower flow rate should fix this problem.
    • When experiencing feeding problems, check to make sure the nipple opening isn't blocked, thus preventing your baby from getting food.
  • "Nipple confusion" sometimes occurs when the baby is being switched back and forth between bottle and breast. Nipples that mimic the shape of the breast help eliminate this.

Formula

While you probably know that breastfeeding is best for your baby (to read more on this topic visit the CDC's website ), you may choose to use formula for supplemental or personal reasons. This is a perfectly acceptable choice, as baby formula is highly regulated by the FDA to ensure it's safe and nutritious. Here are the four kinds of baby formula   available on the market today.

Types of Baby Formula
  • The most popular kind.
  • The least expensive.
  • Since this kind is not sterile, it should be fed to healthy babies only. Not suitable for premature infants or babies with immune problems.
  • Mixed with water before feeding.
  • Easier to prepare than powdered formula.
  • Takes up less space than Ready-to-use formula.
  • Most convenient -- no mixing or measuring required.
  • Most expensive.
  • Short lifespan.
  • Certified USDA organic.
  • Cows only fed organic grains and grasses.
  • May be more costly and difficult to find.
  • Available in both milk and soy versions.

Milk-Based Vs. Soy-Based

When choosing between the milk-based and the soy-based formulas, you should know that milk-based   is most recommended by doctors because it most closely resembles the nutritious content in breast milk. Keep in mind, that the milk has been modified to provide more vitamins and minerals and to make the digestion process easier. You should not feed other milk products to your baby until he or she has reached one year of age or your health care provider has given you the green light.

If you suspect that your baby is allergic to cow's milk, soy milk   may be an acceptable alternative. Like the milk-based formula, the soy content has been modified for better nutrition and easier digestion. Consult your doctor before using the soy formula, as your baby may well be allergic to this variety as well.

For babies with severe allergies and digestion problems, hydrolysate formulas   are available. This semi-hypoallergenic variety contains proteins that have been broken down to make digestion easier for babies who struggle with the milk-based or soy formula.

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